Harappan city: DNA samples of 2 skeletons now sent for analysis
RAKHIGARHI: DNA samples collected from two human skeletons unearthed at a necropolis of a Harappan-era city site in Haryana have been sent for scientific examination, the outcome of which might tell about the ancestry and food habits of people who lived in Rakhigarhi region thousands of years ago.
The skeletons of two women were found a couple of months ago at mound number 7 (named RGR 7 by the Archaeological Survey of India), believed to be nearly 5,000 years old. Pots and other artefacts were also found buried next to them in a pit, part of the funerary rituals back in the Harappan Civilisation era, ASI officials said.
“Seven mounds (RGR 1- RGR 7) scattered around two villages (Rakhi Khas and Rakhi Shahpur) in Hisar district are part of the Rakhigarhi archaeological site. RGR 7 is a cemetery site of the Harappan period when this was a well-organised city. The two skeletons were unearthed about two months ago by our team. And, DNA samples were collected by experts about two
weeks ago,” joint director General, ASI, S K Manjul told PTI.
The samples will be first examined by Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleosciences, Lucknow for preliminary investigation , before being sent further for forensic analysis from anthropological perspective, Manjul said.
“The outcome of the DNA analysis will help tell about the ancestry of the people. Besides, samples taken from the teeth area would tell about their food habits, what kind of food they consumed and other anthropological patterns related to that human settlement,” said Manjul.